Science is everywhere you look

No aspect of our world is untouched by science. This immense field underpins areas such as technology, industry, business, agriculture, environment, research and development, health, and the information revolution. Read more ...

A practical approach

You will undertake both field and studio studies over the course of your degree program. Read more ...

Flexibility of choice

The structure of the Bachelor of Science program allows great flexibility in choosing your specialist area of study (called a major), plus courses based on your interests. Read more ...

Great careers

Qualifications in psychology open up a variety of job opportunities for graduates both nationally and internationally. Read more ...

 

Science is everywhere you look

No aspect of our world is untouched by science. This immense field underpins areas such as technology, industry, business, agriculture, environment, research and development, health, and the information revolution. A science degree provides you with the skills, knowledge, and attributes to make a positive difference to the world in these and other arenas. It is a degree for life, not just a job.

Pathway to many careers

The Bachelor of Science prepares graduates for increasingly inter- and multi-disciplinary science careers by offering 11 majors:

• Biological sciences

• Chemistry

• Earth sciences

• Geography

• Marine science

• Mathematics (co-major)

• Photonics

• Physics

• Psychology

• Statistics (co-major)

• Sustainable resource management

A degree in science allows you to contribute to science and society into the future, pursue higher level employment, and research. To be a good scientist you need to have an inquisitive mind, a passion for discovery, strong analytical and research skills, and an interest in the world around you. Studying science can open many doors, including exciting research and postgraduate opportunities in national and international settings.

Study with the best

Most of our academic staff are active researchers, expert in their particular fields. Students have the chance to learn alongside some of the world's leading researchers. The Bachelor of Science includes the opportunity for research project placements, in which students can study and work in research groups alongside researchers on current important problems.

Broad skills increase your options

Studying science provides you with a broad range of transferable analytical, research, teamwork and communication skills, allied to detailed technical knowledge and expertise in a particular field. The generic skills you learn are in great demand with employers and provide an excellent preparation for careers outside the laboratory. Surveys show that over 40% of science graduates use the problem-solving, critical analysis and teamwork skills they learnt while studying science in roles such as business management, health, or consulting.

Enhance your degree

If you are a high-achieving student enrolled in the Bachelor of Science, then you may be invited to apply for admission to the Merit Pathway program by the Pro Vice Chancellor. Admission for first year students is based on their ATAR which must be 90 or over. The Merit Pathway program provides an opportunity for you to enrich your undergraduate experience and develop new research skills, by taking part in a series of activities and events throughout the year.

Combined degrees

There are a range of combined degree options if you're interested in a Bachelor of Science.

The following combinations can be completed in four to five years, when you study full-time:

• Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical) / Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering (Computer) / Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering (Environmental) / Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) / Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering (Telecommunications)/Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Mathematics / Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Science / Bachelor of Laws

A practical approach

Our science degree provides you with training and hands-on knowledge of a specialist area, such as biology, geography, marine science or chemistry, in addition to the more general teamwork, analytical, research and communication skills needed to be "a scientist".

This blend of knowledge and skills enables you to contribute actively and responsibly to society, leading not just to a job but a career path.

What does lab work entail?

In first year, lab work is usually undertaken in small groups or pairs. As you progress through the degree and learn more, the type of lab work you do builds up in complexity.

By the time students get to third year the projects they work on are more advanced. They might work individually or in a small team, and in some cases the projects might be with a research group, on a research topic. The idea is that by the time they graduate, when they are given a problem, they are able to think through how to actually set up their experiment to test the problem out and then how to carry it out and write up the report.

Fred Menk
Deputy Head of Faculty (Science and IT), Professor of Physics

Real-world experiences while you study

Science students take part in problem-based learning, field trips, excursions, seminar presentations and workshops. For example:

• physics students have used data from Australia’s FedSat satellite to investigate space weather and its impact on technological systems on Earth

• earth science students take field trips to places like Broken Hill and Heron Island to put training into practice, and

• sustainable resource management students integrate theory and practical experience while working alongside government, industry and dedicated community volunteers to conserve endangered and threatened species.

Purpose-built facilities to replicate industry situations

Students in the Bachelor of Science have the opportunity to learn in world-class facilities including our nanoscience and chemistry laboratories, mathematics grid room and psychology clinic. Marine science students have access to the Central Coast Marine Discovery network and a unique field study location with a variety of ecosystems.

Flexibility of choice

The structure of the Bachelor of Science allows great flexibility in choosing your specialist area of study (called a major), plus courses based on your interests. Up to one third of the courses may come from other sciences, IT, humanities or other areas, allowing you to broaden and strengthen your skills.

Double majors and combined degrees

The degree also allows you to take a double major, where you complete the requirements of two majors. Why be a specialist in only one area when you can be a specialist in two? The names of these majors will appear on your academic transcript.

The Bachelor of Science can also be studied concurrently with other degrees, enabling you to graduate with two degrees rather than one. For example, science can be combined with mathematics, arts, law or engineering. Such combined degrees are challenging and only for the best, but produce special graduates who are very highly sought after by employers.

Enhance your specialist area

Including mathematics or statistics as part of a double major or combined degree helps strengthen your understanding of quantitative principles and will support your other science studies, especially in the collection, analysis and modelling of scientific data. Incorporating mathematics or statistics in the Bachelor of Science identifies a special graduate with key strengths and invaluable skills that are in great demand. Remember, while there is a shortage of scientists, there is also a critical shortage of mathematicians.

The mathematics and statistics co-majors can only be taken in conjunction with another full major in the Bachelor of Science. Students interested specifically in mathematics or statistics alone should enrol in the Bachelor of Mathematics.

Assistance for your future

Suggested study pathways have been developed to assist students enhance their employability and add variety to their degree by taking courses that complement their major studies.

Please visit www.newcastle.edu.au/faculty/science-it/degree-programs/pathways/ for more information.

Biological sciences

The biological sciences major provides students with wide-ranging training and experience in order to gain the specific knowledge and skills required to be a biologist. The major themes within biology such as molecular, cellular, ecology, conservation, reproduction, genetics in plants and animals are integrated and examined. Specialisation in any field is possible.

Graduates find employment in biomedical areas such as pathology laboratories, biological research institutes, bioanalytical laboratories and government or industries related to the environment or agriculture.

Find out more…

Chemistry

Chemists study and apply the physical and chemical properties of substances in order to determine their composition, to develop new substances and products and to increase scientific knowledge. Specialising in Chemistry provides diverse opportunities in areas such as product control and development, research, scientific product sales and support, technology management and health. Chemists are also active in information industries and patent services and many chemists make the career transition into management as well as in finance and investments. Employment opportunities also exist outside the scientific field in government and private sectors where analytical, problem solving, mathematical and report writing skills are required.

Find out more…

Earth sciences

Earth science is a unique blend of the traditional fields of physical geography, geology, oceanography, climatology and soil science. Those who study Earth science are practical professionals equipped to address the environmental, social and economic impacts associated with resource use and management, such as mineral and resource extraction, and site rehabilitation and monitoring. Many courses involve fieldwork and real-world experience, to address questions such as: when did the Great Divide form?; why are there no active volcanoes in Australia today?; is the climate of the Earth changing?

Find out more…

Geography

A major in geography provides graduates with a unique understanding of processes shaping the social and biophysical world; from its cities, regions and populations to its climates, soils and landforms. You can specialise in human geography or environmental studies, providing al focus on the human dimensions of change in the social world and environment. You will combine this knowledge with a diverse range of transferable skills including literacy and numeracy, skill in information and communication technologies, data manipulation, analysis and decision-making.

Find out more…

Marine science

This major provides students with knowledge of Australia's unique marine ecosystems and their biodiversity, an up-to-date analysis of the current issues and challenges facing Australia's marine ecosystems and species, skills in field and laboratory techniques, and understanding of the management initiatives that have been developed. Australia is a global leader in developing sustainable strategies for marine environmental management and many of our courses draw on this experience.

Find out more…

Mathematics (co-major)

Graduates taking this co-major will be equipped with knowledge of a specific area of science supplemented by mathematically based skills in modelling, statistical analysis, data management, and science communication. This is a powerful combination!

The co-major develops arithmetical and geometric concepts, but the most powerful mathematics exploits the interplay between the two. For instance, the high school curriculum includes the analysis of change called calculus, where a combination of "geometric" intuition (curve-sketching, tangents and slope) and "arithmetic" calculations (algebra, differentiation and integration) allow us to predict, for example, the path of a space-station orbiting the earth

Graduates often enter the fields of research, management and strategic planning or work in insurance companies, the futures market, and computer-related enterprises. Skills in mathematics are of value whenever real-world problems in areas such as manufacturing and scheduling have to be solved.

Students interested in focusing their studies predominantly in mathematics and statistics are encouraged to consider the Bachelor of Mathematics or Bachelor of Mathematics/Bachelor of Science.

Find out more…

Photonics

This major develops skills and knowledge within the field of photonics, an industry responsible for producing the technology behind laser eye surgery machinery, high speed telecommunications systems and other instruments that utilise light in the transmission and storage of information. Photonics is the science behind the internet and the National Broadband Network. The photonics major has been designed in close consultation with industry, and introduces students to topical areas such as lasers and nanotechnology, optical design, optoelectronic materials and electromagnetic wave generation. Maths and physics provide the foundations for this challenging discipline which has international employability in a very rapidly expanding industry.

Photonics graduates work in laser optical fibre and component research and development, production, testing and installation; medical application of lasers and detectors; telecommunications; remote sensing; application in government telecommunications support and regulatory agencies.

Find out more…

Physics

Think of a world without electricity, radio, TV, mobile phones, computers, the internet and the web, medical technology (X-rays, ultrasound, MRI and CAT scanners, radiation therapy), satellites, GPS, and so on. All these come from physics research. And the pace of research and discovery is increasing.

The physics major includes topics such as electromagnetism, optics, solid state physics, and quantum mechanics to provide students with the basic knowledge and skills underpinning the development of scientific knowledge in a great many areas. Most employment opportunities for physicists exist in hands-on research, development and teaching roles often within the resource and environmental management industries, medical laboratories and institutions, software and telecommunications companies and other technological research and educational organisations.

Find out more…

Psychology

Students studying the psychology major can choose from a variety of courses that provide a broad knowledge and understanding of human behaviour complemented by analytical and communication skills. The choice of complementary electives or a second major can determine the types of careers available. Opportunities for these graduates exist in a diverse range of areas including human resources, marketing and population research, community welfare, planning and administration.

Find out more

Statistics (co-major)

Whether it's cricket scores, the stock market or global warming, we need to understand probability and data analysis in order to make informed decisions and predictions. Statistics deals with the collection, analysis and presentation of data, and as a co-major in the Bachelor of Science allows students to strengthen their understanding of mathematical and statistical principles in relation to their other area of specialisation.

The Statistics major will enable you to study experimental and observational study designs, data collection, hypothesis testing, analysing continuous and categorical data, statistical computing, managerial decision making, psychological and social interactions, Total Quality Management(TQM) and improvement of processes.

Statistics provides graduates with a competitive edge, since quantitative problem solving skills are in strong demand by industry and government employers. The co-major in statistics also opens up additional career options as a professional statistician.

Students interested in focusing their studies predominantly in mathematics and statistics are encouraged to consider the Bachelor of Mathematics or Bachelor of Mathematics/Bachelor of Science offered at this university.

Find out more…

Sustainable resource management

Sustainable resources management is about striking a balance between caring for our environment and paying heed to the needs of those who make a living from these resources or use them for leisure and recreation. Achieving sustainability in the management of Australia's natural resources (land, water, marine and biological systems) is vital if we are to ensure our ongoing social, economic and environmental wellbeing.

This major familiarises students with key issues and management strategies for natural resources. It provides a foundation in natural and social systems followed by core courses in land, water and vegetation management, biodiversity, planning, environmental and social impact assessment and specialized topic areas. An understanding and appreciation of how human life interacts with and impacts on the natural environment is also gained, as are practical scientific skills.

Graduates from this major are equipped to advise and consult on policy and planning issues relating to resource management and may find employment in Federal and State government departments (national parks and wildlife, land and water management, agriculture, EPA, public works and forestry), in Local government (strategic planning groups, sustainability, development control, land and water management); in private industry (as a consultant on environmental and sustainable resource matters); in non-governmental organizations; and in research organisations such as agriculture, forestry, livestock and soil management

Find out more…

Great careers

Today's world is completely shaped by science, and science will be even more important in tomorrow's world. However, Australia faces a critical shortage of scientists. This means there are great career opportunities both in Australia and internationally.

Science professionals work in a huge range of areas, including geological surveys, geographic information systems, water quality, land degradation, drug discovery, ecology, plant science, demographic change, urbanisation, marine science, geophysics, photonics, and a great many others. Because the Bachelor of Science emphasises problem-solving, teamwork, critical and independent thinking skills and attributes, graduates are sought after across a range of sectors, as shown below.

What science graduates are doing:

The growth of investment in science and science-based industries, increasing social dependence on scientific research and heightening environmental pressures mean that technically trained, skilful and innovative science graduates are needed more than ever before.

Global shortage drives salary growth

The growing national and international shortage of scientists is driving strong salaries growth. As a Bachelor of Science graduate you can earn well over the average, particularly in high-demand areas, such as geosciences, environmental chemistry, materials science, and energy science. Strong international opportunities mean that about half of science graduates plan to work overseas.

Honours advances your choices

Undertaking an additional Honours year will provide you with advanced knowledge, skills and research training to complement your undergraduate degree - and increase your earning capacity as a scientist. Many employers will now prefer or even stipulate that candidates have at least an Honours degree when recruiting.

Honours combines coursework and a project, often alongside a researcher on a current topic. What's most exciting about Honours is that you work on an aspect of scientific study that hasn't been done before.

So much to choose from

With so many different career options to choose from, we have put together some basic information about common job titles grouped by each of the Majors to get you started. Please visit www.newcastle.edu.au/service/careers/majors/ for more information. Creating a unique degree by combining major areas of study and/or electives from across the university will give you even more career flexibility.

Achiever profiles